KARACHI:
Whereas the world awaits the grand reunions of Ok-pop greats BLACKPINK and BTS, one other group has been creating fairly the excitement within the international music scene. Stray Children has arrived and, in its quick lifespan, has already triggered sufficient commotion within the neighborhood.
From conquering music charts to inviting worldwide recognition, Stray Children embraced the endless “noise music” criticism and molded it into one thing particular for itself—a proud identification. The members have charmed followers all over the world with music mottled with sonic selection and personalities as boisterous because the beats they dance to.
The JYP Leisure group formally debuted in 2018 and contains eight members: I.N, Seungmin, Felix, Han, Hyunjin, Changbin, Lee Know, and their chief Bang Chan. Bearing origins as unconventional because the title suggests, Stray Children was named by Bang Chan, who was additionally given the chance to hand-pick the members himself, deviating from trade conventions. He even designed what’s now the group’s official brand, immortalising a imaginative and prescient that may outline the band for years to return.
The artwork of consistency
Eight is a fortunate quantity for Stray Children, and the octet appears to model it as such. Flaunting cheeky word-play, such because the equivoque album title ATE, evidently the band is fatefully tied to the quantity. In 2023, Stray Children ranked because the eighth hottest Ok-pop act in Pakistan, and the group has sustained the place for this 12 months as nicely.
“How?” you may ask. To supply a precursory glimpse of Stray Children’ 12 months in worldwide numbers, Billboard‘s 12 months-Finish High Artists listing of 2024 noticed Stray Children at No 73, as per The Korea Instances. Moreover, the 12 months-Finish Billboard 200 Albums chart ranked the group’s albums ROCK-STAR and ATE at No 123 and No 139 respectively, showcasing the band’s vital half in representing Ok-pop amongst international musicians.
With all members having renewed their contracts simply this 12 months, the group launched a complete of three albums in 2024 (one being a Japanese-language launch). ATE, the group’s summer season EP, earned the topmost spot on Billboard 200. Surpassing the second-placed MUSE by BTS’ Jimin, the feat landed Stray Children its fifth consecutive No 1 on the chart.
Hannah Dailey of Billboard credited the group’s constant success to its in-group producers—the sub-unit 3RACHA, comprising Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. “The band appears actually intentional concerning the music it desires to make and launch,” she famous. “With this album particularly, it sounds as if the group was actually discerning about experimenting with new sounds whereas staying acquainted to longtime followers.”
Musically unbound
That’s the marrow of Stray Children’ enchantment—the group’s dedication to staying uncommitted to genres. The group defines its music because the “Mala Style” sound, a fiery and eruptive type of music. This eventful 12 months particularly uncovered extra of that ingenious aspect of the octet, with the mixtape HOP and extra earlier than it.
STAYs, or Stray Children followers, had a lot to digest this 12 months. The group’s new-fashioned monitor with Charlie Puth, Lose My Breath, was a results of a change in tempo, rapper Changbin informed NME. As somebody who’s often very detail-oriented, this time he adopted spontaneity, obeying a key rule of 3RACHA’s work ethic—collaborative concord throughout the group and with artists from the skin.
Talking of which, the music video of ATE‘s main monitor Chk Chk Growth featured appearances from none aside from Deadpool & Wolverine stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, who donned their superhero outfits for the special day. Not solely this, however Stray Children even earned credit on the 2024 movie’s soundtrack with an authentic music, SLASH. The X-sparked friendship between the members and Ryan dates again to 2021.
Marvel wasn’t the one fictional universe on the playing cards for the group this 12 months. Stray Children additionally took a dip into the video-game world of League of Legends by making an OST for Netflix’s hit animated sequence Arcane. The group’s complement Come Play served because the audio backdrop for the pre-release sequence trailer and an action-packed climactic second within the present.
Now, on the tail-end of the 12 months, the group has ignited an explosive comeback, strapping solo tracks and music movies from particular person members. HOP‘s launch falls within the midst of the octet’s DominATE World Tour. So, sure, STAYs all around the world have been fed nicely all 12 months lengthy.
Ceaseless international publicity
Live performance stadiums usually are not all that Stray Children has been setting ablaze this 12 months. The group additionally lit up the stage on the Billboard Music Awards of 2024, fascinating the worldwide viewers with a suavely synchronous but frisky efficiency of Chk Chk Growth and JJAM. The band even obtained the High World Ok-Pop Artist award, marking the second consecutive 12 months the group went dwelling with a trophy from the present.
The world of vogue was additionally compelled to supply its respects as Stray Children members marked their attendance on the 2024 Met Gala in bedazzling overcoats. They later stripped the highest layers to disclose a colour-coordinated ensemble tailor-made by Tommy Hilfiger. This adopted the group’s involvement within the model’s 2024 spring marketing campaign, bearing witness to a constant worldwide collaboration.
As Vogue documented the dressing course of, the members expressed their nerves and the general surreal nature of the second. I.N, who has been a fan of the model since his trainee days, particularly could not grasp the truth that he would quickly be adorned in Tommy Hilfiger’s customized appears.
Ever the sought-after type fanatic, Hyunjin had a lot to say concerning the sartorial unit. “General, there’s type of a botanical theme,” he defined. “You may’t see it on the skin, however the inside is stuffed with these particulars. And even the design of those gold accents is of flowers.”
Thus, Stray Children took to the massive occasion, options primed and shoulders linked for each {photograph}. The identical might be stated for each second previous and succeeding this one. Throughout all main accomplishments this 12 months, this cohesion has been evident. Come what could, the members stand collectively, vowing solidarity and unremitting gratitude in direction of their followers.
A lot has modified for Stray Children in 2024, however the devotion to their roots stays unwavering. And with worldwide victories piling up whilst 2024 approaches its finish, the sentiment of their slogan rings more true than ever. Stray Children have been and can be in all places, all all over the world.
Have one thing so as to add to the story? Share it within the feedback under.